tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347Tue, 14 Oct 2014 21:10:30 +0000Lighten Up with Shelley42-year-old Mentor resident Shelley Weber will use her kids as motivation to build a better life. Life with metabolic syndrome will be easier with a weight-loss, and Weber said she will work hard with help from exercise and better eating habits.http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)Blogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347.post-4616264149836450874Mon, 02 Jul 2012 03:14:00 +00002012-07-01T20:14:49.931-07:00More Than a Weight Gain<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Well, when the paper comes out next Sunday, it will unfortunately show that I gained 3ish pounds since the last weigh in.&nbsp; While that sucks, it is not actually accurate.&nbsp; I probably gained over 12 pounds in the last month, but was able to take off all but 3 of it. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>I am saying that I gained more than weight during the last month because I also gained some serious insight about the fact that I believe that I obviously have some serious issues with food.&nbsp; I even admitted to some of my fellow contestants at the last weigh in that I believe that I am a binge eater and could probably benefit from some professional intervention at this point.&nbsp; That was very difficult to admit, but my fellow contestants were very supportive.&nbsp; Margaret shared with me that she does not deprive herself of anything because that is what she feels will cause her to binge or overeat.&nbsp; I think that has possibly been my mistake all along during this contest.&nbsp; I did very well after the initial weigh in, but then the real fun began.&nbsp; Each month I would attend the weigh in and then do okay for the next week or so, but I would eventually binge eat and then any form of healthy eating would be lost.&nbsp; I would eat everything and anything for another week or so and the 7-10 days before the next weigh in I would eat absolutely no carbs and try to get to the gym all in the hope of at least not posting a gain. Well that did not work this last month and I was busted!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>I am going to try a new approach this month and simply try to eat sensibly and somehow increase my exercise.&nbsp; (I am still struggling to find where to fit that into my 3<sup>rd</sup> shift work schedule!)&nbsp; We&#8217;ll see how that goes!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/2012/07/more-than-weight-gain.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347.post-4974469387306587022Thu, 14 Jun 2012 23:29:00 +00002012-06-14T16:29:49.805-07:00Alone (but not lonely) in my healthy eating tonight!<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Tonight my husband and daughter are out at Chick-fil-a enjoying a special &#8220;Daddy-Daughter Date Night&#8221; together for father&#8217;s day.&nbsp; So then my mother offered to take my son and me to McDonalds for dinner.&nbsp; Of course my almost 13 years jumped at the chance.&nbsp; Although I could get a salad, the temptation to get something else would be just too great so I decided to stay home all by myself.&nbsp; I just finished my dinner which consisted of a big salad filled with assorted veggies, a little cheese and some buffalo chicken lunch meat and a diet coke.&nbsp; It tasted fabulous! <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> </div> http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/2012/06/alone-but-not-lonely-in-my-healthy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347.post-5738451822017187847Wed, 30 May 2012 13:48:00 +00002012-05-30T06:48:54.319-07:00Stress Eating<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>I am having a very stressful day so far today and all I want to do is eat some yummy carbohydrate comfort food!&nbsp; I am trying to hang tuff&#8230;weigh in coming soon!!!&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/2012/05/stress-eating.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347.post-5301674410914651959Mon, 28 May 2012 03:45:00 +00002012-05-27T20:45:04.775-07:00Weekends<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>I recently read another contestants blog and she was saying that Monday thru Friday it was much easier to stay on track by eating right and making to the gym, but that it all kind of fell apart on the weekends.&nbsp; Then she spends time during the week trying to undo what she did all weekend.&nbsp; I have to say that I totally agree with that.&nbsp; Weekends are the most difficult for me as well.&nbsp; I make some decent progress throughout each week and then fall apart over the weekend.&nbsp; It is a vicious cycle and even after all these months of trying during this contest I still cannot get control over it.&nbsp; I will be lucky once again to break even at the next weigh in! <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/2012/05/weekends.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347.post-3929424324798356701Sat, 12 May 2012 00:04:00 +00002012-05-11T17:04:31.228-07:00Trying to stay on track<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>I have tried to get back on track with losing weight.&nbsp; Last week was my birthday and I blew it with a few too many &#8220;celebrations&#8221; with various family and friends.&nbsp; It&#8217;s funny how social food can be!&nbsp; Anyway, I had actually once again put back on some of the weight that I had managed to take off for the last weigh in.&nbsp; However today I am happy to report that according to my scale here at home that I am down 2 lbs from my last weight on record. I hope to keep it off and add to as the rest of this month goes by!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/2012/05/trying-to-stay-on-track.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347.post-1860584679311450688Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:59:00 +00002012-04-30T15:59:22.791-07:00Yo-Yo dieting<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Okay, so according to the scale on Saturday I weighed it at exactly the same weight as last month.&nbsp; So I am down a total of 9.6 lbs since the beginning of the contest.&nbsp; The reality is that I have actually lost approx 28 pounds since the beginning of the contest.&nbsp; I attend each weigh in and then for the next few weeks I don&#8217;t really pay too close attention to diet or exercise so I gain some (if not all or more) of the weight back. &nbsp;Then about 7-10 days before the next weigh in, I am good about watching my diet and getting in a little exercise if possible. &nbsp;Luckily so far I have not posted a gain, but I am not sure how long that will last if I keep this up!&nbsp; I wish that I was actually down 28lbs.&nbsp; That would be fabulous!&nbsp; I have a lot of admiration and respect for those in the contest who have managed to take the weight off, keep it off and keep losing!&nbsp; My hat is off to you!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/2012/04/yo-yo-dieting.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347.post-3931820295479170892Fri, 27 Apr 2012 01:18:00 +00002012-04-26T18:18:34.070-07:00Zumba<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Well, I have been hearing/reading about many of the participants taking Zumba classes, but the times/places that they were offered were not convenient for me.&nbsp; Fortunately a woman in my neighborhood has organized &nbsp;Zumba classes to be held at the community room in my neighborhood.&nbsp; The community room is just a very short walk from my house so how could I say no?!&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>I attended my first class tonight.&nbsp; I have to tell you that I wanted to walk out the door after just the &#8220;warm up&#8221; portion.&nbsp; My hips and butt do not move that way!&nbsp; But I decided to stick out the entire hour (although I know that very often I looked like a complete idiot).&nbsp; I am glad that I stayed.&nbsp; I certainly did not get all the moves, but in the end I was sweating, burned some calories and had a good time!&nbsp; The only problem is that I tend to tense up in my neck and shoulders when I do things like this so my neck is a little sore.&nbsp; I&#8217;ll have to take some ibuprofen before heading off the work tonight.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>The class is being offered 3 times a week so I hope to go as often as possible!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/2012/04/zumba.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347.post-3698585873659341358Sat, 21 Apr 2012 23:06:00 +00002012-04-21T16:06:48.412-07:00Eggplant Burgers<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>To control my diabetes, I try to eat as low-carb as possible without doing the full blown Atkins Diet. &nbsp;&nbsp;I try to work in healthy carbs anywhere I possibly can.&nbsp; So tonight I tried Dominex Eggplant Burgers.&nbsp; We planned spaghetti for dinner.&nbsp; We eat DreamFields low carb pasta and Giant Eagle Market District marinara sauce which are both the lowest carbs I can find, but sometimes I end up eating too much.&nbsp; And we all know that even too much of good thing can be bad so I have been looking for something to eat with the pasta that has a little protein, but is low in calories and carbs.&nbsp; The eggplant burgers have 90 calories, 10 carbs, and 3g of protein per serving.&nbsp; They come fully cooked so I just heated them thru on my grill pan and served them atop of a small serving of the low carb noodles with a little sauce&#8230;..delicious!&nbsp; My husband even enjoyed them! &nbsp;I will definitely be serving them again!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/2012/04/eggplant-burgers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347.post-2507066750061017126Fri, 20 Apr 2012 23:00:00 +00002012-04-20T16:00:13.376-07:00Friday Night Pizza<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>I have previously written about the tradition in our house of Friday night pizza and a movie.&nbsp; I have been searching for healthier alternatives to the pizza portion of the evening and I have come up with something that is much healthier.&nbsp; Tonight I tried making pizza quesadillas.&nbsp; I used Lawash low carb tortillas, a little Contadina pizza sauce, shredded low fat mozzarella cheese and turkey pepperoni.&nbsp; I assembled all the ingredients in my quesadilla maker and hoped for the best!&nbsp; I thought they were great, but my kids were not as convinced!&nbsp; I have to admit that yes it did not taste as good as the oooey, gooey pizza that we are used to, but I think it&#8217;s an acceptable alternative for now.&nbsp; I will continue to search for healthy alternatives, but I think we will leave the &#8220;real&#8221; pizza for special occasions!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/2012/04/friday-night-pizza.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347.post-5181646355745356268Sat, 14 Apr 2012 23:38:00 +00002012-04-14T16:38:14.521-07:00Spring Break UpdateI am proud to say that yes, I did see the inside of the fitness center while I was away this week. And I didn&#39;t just go in and look at it. I actually worked out! Granted I have been at the hotel for 3 days and only made it down there one time, but it was an accomplishment just the same! <p>Traveling is definitely a challenge though. The hotel doesn&#39;t offer refrigerators in the room so it is very hard to keep any kind of protein on hand so I have eaten way more carbs than usual so I am anxious to see what the scale says when I arrive home tomorrow night!http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/2012/04/spring-break-update.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347.post-417169998151500713Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:14:00 +00002012-04-10T10:14:09.850-07:00Spring Break<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Well, my children are on spring break this week and my husband and I are on vacation as well.&nbsp; It&#8217;s so nice to be off from work and just be together without the additional pressure of being at work.&nbsp; However, it seems that I think I am on break from exercising and watching my diet as well!&nbsp; I need to get myself back on track!&nbsp; To make matters worse, I will be out of town at the end of the week for a conference which will present another challenge as well.&nbsp; I am staying in a hotel that has a fitness room.&nbsp; Hopefully I will be able to report to you that I at least saw the inside of it a few times while I was there!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/2012/04/spring-break.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347.post-3552528095064628336Thu, 29 Mar 2012 01:04:00 +00002012-03-28T18:04:04.679-07:00C25K update<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>So I mentioned awhile back that I was going to try the program C25K (couch to 5k).&nbsp; It&#8217;s the program that was designed to help you go from a couch potato to running a 5k.&nbsp; I have renamed it C25I.&nbsp; (couch to 5 injuries).&nbsp; I have 2 shin splints, 2 shore ankles and 1 pulled hamstring!&nbsp; A friend who is a runner keeps telling me to just hang in there and work through the pain, but I have decided not to.&nbsp; The pain is causing issues in both my home and work life so it&#8217;s not realistic to think that I can keep going with the program.&nbsp; I will stick to the elliptical and recumbent bike for my cardio workouts from now on!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/2012/03/c25k-update.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347.post-3144150906603952833Sun, 25 Mar 2012 14:29:00 +00002012-03-25T07:29:00.063-07:00Saffron Extract<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>So, I happened to see a re-run of the Dr. Oz show on Friday.&nbsp; I caught the portion of the show that was dealing with emotional and stress eating.&nbsp; Hello?&nbsp; Right up my alley!&nbsp; Anyway, Dr.Oz was discussing the benefits of a supplement called saffron extract. Supposedly, the brain reacts to the extract much in the same way that it reacts to carbohydrates, but without overeating thus you eat less.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>&nbsp;I have always been cautious of taking any kind of medication be it prescription, over the counter, or &#8220;natural&#8221;.&nbsp; At this point in my life I take 2 high blood pressure meds and a woman&#8217;s multivitamin, but after doing some research over the weekend I think that I am willing to give this one a try.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>I will keep you posted!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/2012/03/saffron-extract.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347.post-2991802969755726136Tue, 20 Mar 2012 23:22:00 +00002012-03-20T16:23:00.012-07:00Blogging<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>It was brought to my attention that I have been neglecting my blogging duties in this contest.&nbsp; I fully admit to it and apologize to my fellow contestants.&nbsp; However, I have to say that it was not intentional.&nbsp; I have been struggling with blogging since the beginning of the contest.&nbsp; In my last post I talked about the fact that I needed to overcome my issue with emotional and stress eating.&nbsp; This is still the case, but I feel that some of my issues for overeating are too personal to discuss in a public forum and would bring about more stress in the end.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>At this point let&#8217;s just say that I am trying to bring about change in my life.&nbsp; I feel like I keep running into different road blocks and I need to find the correct map to point me in the right direction around those road blocks! &nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Anybody have a&nbsp; GPS!!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/2012/03/blogging.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347.post-2950119041358400762Fri, 09 Mar 2012 15:46:00 +00002012-03-09T07:46:46.898-08:00Emotional/Stress Eating<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>I have realized over the past few weeks that in order to have any success with weight loss, I will have to get a handle on eating due to stress and emotions.&nbsp; This is however much easier said than done.&nbsp; I know that I am not alone in this issue. As a matter of fact, I would guess that many of my Lighten Up competitors suffer with the same problem.&nbsp; If anyone has any suggestions, I would be open to them.&nbsp; Thanks!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/2012/03/emotionalstress-eating.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347.post-6576886962611037679Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:31:00 +00002012-02-24T05:31:55.892-08:00The pressure is on!<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>This morning I was discussing the upcoming weigh in with my mother.&nbsp; I was telling her that I know that I have not put the time in at the gym necessary to show a big weight loss.&nbsp; I said that I was just hoping to show a loss period.&nbsp; Then my 7 year old daughter chimes in with &#8220;you just need to try harder mom&#8221;.&nbsp; I told her that she was right and that at the moment I am doing the best I can.&nbsp; &#8220;After all&#8221; I said to her, &#8220;it&#8217;s not about winning, it&#8217;s about getting healthy.&#8221;&nbsp; She said &#8220;I wanna see you win Mommy!&#8221;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Hmmmmm, maybe I should hire my daughter to be my personal weight loss coach&#8230;.LOL!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/2012/02/pressure-is-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347.post-2101588075229639746Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:58:00 +00002012-02-22T04:58:15.701-08:00C25k<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>I downloaded an application on my kindle yesterday called C25K (couch to 5K).&nbsp; It is an application that is designed to help you slowly build up your endurance over a specified period of time to enable you to be able to run a 5K marathon.&nbsp;&nbsp; I remember reading in the past that other Lighten Up Contestants had used it and found success so I thought I would give it a try!&nbsp; I will keep you posted!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/2012/02/c25k.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347.post-9089236404887215074Sat, 18 Feb 2012 01:38:00 +00002012-02-17T17:38:17.896-08:00Sleep!<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>I knew when I began this journey that getting to the gym would be the most difficult hurdle for me.&nbsp; I discovered that as an employee of the hospital I was allowed to use the cardiopulmonary rehab room and all of its equipment on the &#8220;off hours&#8221; for a nominal fee each month.&nbsp; I work third shift (11p-7a) Mon thru Fri so my plan was to arrive at work and be in the gym by 9pm at least 4 nights a week.&nbsp; It made perfect sense on paper.&nbsp; By that time of the night, my 7 year old daughter is in bed and my 12 year old son is on his way and his father is here to see that it does happen so I could very easily leave the house shortly after 8:30p.&nbsp; I could work out for about an hour, grab a shower and be bright eyed and bushy tailed for work by 11pm!&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Well, I had forgotten that many, many days throughout the week that I am unable for one reason or another to get enough sleep during the day which makes it necessary to take a &#8220;nap&#8221; in the evening before heading off to work.&nbsp; This has been one of those weeks.&nbsp; Between illness in the family, a trip to the ER with my son (he&#8217;s fine by the way) and assorted other issues I have had to take a nap every night this week and have not set foot in the gym once!&nbsp; I fear that whatever weight I may have lost in the weeks prior has found its way back onto my body!&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Only one more week until the first weigh in so hopefully this next week I will see better results!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/2012/02/sleep.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347.post-4048420856783592109Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:33:00 +00002012-02-10T16:33:05.068-08:00Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Childrens' Pizza<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>While I said earlier in my blog that we strive not to eat a lot of processed food, every Friday in our house is the exception to that rule. For years Friday nights have been pizza, pop and movie night.&nbsp; It&#8217;s meant to be a special treat at the end of a long week and we unwind from a busy week together as a family.&nbsp; It&#8217;s a night that I believe my kids look forward to.&nbsp; ( I know my 7 year old daughter does for sure, now that my son is a pre-teen sometimes I think it&#8217;s more like torture for him!)&nbsp; Anyway, awhile ago the adults stopped eating the pizza and usually would eat something a little healthier.&nbsp; So today as I was enjoying my homemade turkey chili which was loaded with veggies and very tasty I found myself intently watching my kids enjoy their pizza.&nbsp; (I may have even been drooling!)&nbsp; I hope that maybe someday I can eat a slice of pizza here and there, but for the time being it&#8217;s better for me to just leave it alone!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/2012/02/thou-shalt-not-covet-thy-childrens.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347.post-3195792385508956799Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:54:00 +00002012-02-10T07:54:34.945-08:00Here's to you mom!<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Just like most families with young children, my life is anything but routine. &nbsp;I am finding that because of the lack of routine each day holds a new challenge to make it to the gym and stick with a nutritious eating plan.&nbsp; Unlike most people however my family and I are very blessed that my mother lives with us.&nbsp; (I know some people would not consider that a blessing, but we are very lucky!) &nbsp;My mother cooks just about everyday and helps out tremendously with the kids.&nbsp; It has been challenging for us over the last few years that she has lived with us to make our cooking styles mesh.&nbsp; Although I grew up eating her meals, I have learned to grocery shop and cook quite differently than she did.&nbsp; Not because there was anything wrong with her cooking, but because when I was growing up there wasn&#8217;t the emphasis on healthy eating that there is today.&nbsp; I grew up with your basic meat and potatoes meals, canned fruits and veggies and cream soup based casseroles.&nbsp; While many of these things I would still love to eat, I know that they are loaded with fat, salt, and tons of carbohydrates!&nbsp; I try to shop the perimeter of the grocery store and avoid the aisles where the majority of the processed food can be found.&nbsp; Also, I grew up eating a lot of red meat.&nbsp; We probably eat red meat 3-4 times a month now and the rest of the time we eat chicken, turkey, pork and occasionally some kind of mild fish such as orange roughy or tilapia.&nbsp; I believe that we have been successful in making our cooking styles mesh and will be forever grateful to my mom for making changes to benefit me as well as the rest of the family!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/2012/02/heres-to-you-mom.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347.post-356218019831688600Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:42:00 +00002012-02-06T06:42:21.943-08:00Contest Entry Poem<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>As the article said, I wrote a poem about myself as my contest entry.&nbsp; I have received multiple texts and emails from friends &amp; family requesting to read the whole poem so here it is.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>There once was a woman named Shelley Weber<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>She went through her entire life eating whatever.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>She knew all along that it was wrong<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>To obesity and all its complication she wanted to say &#8220;so long&#8221;.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Her obesity had even caused infertility<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Producing a baby would never be a reality.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Then along came two Guatemalan angels, Heaven sent<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Deep into motherhood she happily went.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Macaroni, chicken nuggets and ice cream<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>It was a food-aholics dream!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>However the more weight she gained<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>The more difficult motherhood became.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Her children are still young<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>She is unhappy with the mother she has become.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>She knows that exercise and proper nutrition is the key<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>To helping her become the mother she always wanted to be!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/2012/02/contest-entry-poem.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347.post-5859596575234474037Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:49:00 +00002012-02-02T05:49:41.046-08:00It's all about the numbers (REVISED)<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Is it just me, or does everything in life tend to revolve around numbers?&nbsp; Age, date of birth, phone number, address, social security number, PIN numbers, etc, etc.&nbsp; The list is endless!&nbsp; Well I feel this way about weight loss as well, however for me it isn&#8217;t necessarily the number on the scale, or my measurements (which I must point out are a perfect hourglass.&nbsp; A very FULL hourglass mind you, but an hourglass just the same!)&nbsp; Anyway, while those numbers are obviously important to me especially since they will be posted publicly in a very short while, they are not my main concern.&nbsp; The numbers which matter most to me at this point are blood pressure, triglycerides, and hemoglobin A1C (a 90 day look back at your average blood sugar).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>These are my numbers as of the end of November 2011&#8230;.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Blood pressure 140/92&nbsp; (120/80 is optimal)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Triglycerides 1500 (less than 150 is normal)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>A1C 7.6&nbsp; (5 is normal)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>I plan to have my labs checked at about 90 days after starting the contest and I hope to be able to share the good news of &#8220;better&#8221; numbers at that time!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Also, I hope to have let a little sand out of my &#8220;hourglass&#8221; by that point as well!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> </div> http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/2012/02/its-all-about-numbers-revised.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8567458022732877347.post-521501498682991430Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:34:00 +00002012-02-02T05:34:35.632-08:00It's all about the numbers!<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Is it just me, or does everything in life tend to revolve around numbers?&nbsp; Age, date of birth, phone number, address, social security number, PIN numbers, etc, etc.&nbsp; The list is endless!&nbsp; Well I feel this way about weight loss as well, however for me it isn&#8217;t necessarily the number on the scale, or my measurements (which I must point out are a perfect hourglass.&nbsp; A very FULL hourglass mind you, but an hourglass just the same!)&nbsp; Anyway, while those numbers are obviously important to me especially since they will be posted publicly in a very short while, they are not my main concern.&nbsp; The numbers which matter most to me at this point are blood pressure, triglycerides, and hemoglobin A1C (a 90 day look back at your average blood sugar).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>These are my numbers as of&nbsp; the end of November 2011&#8230;.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Blood pressure 140/92&nbsp; (120/80 is optimal)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Triglycerides 1500 (less than 150 is normal)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>A1C 7.6&nbsp; (5 is normal)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>I plan to have my labs checked at about 90 days after starting the contest and I hope to be able to share the good news of &#8220;better&#8221; numbers at that time!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> http://lightenupwithshelley.blogspot.com/2012/02/its-all-about-numbers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lighten Up Blogs)0